Scottsburg High School senior Casey Smith turned his academic achievements and hard work on the field into a scholarship to play football at Franklin College.

“It was not only athletics but academics,” said Kyle Mullins, SHS head football coach. “Franklin is one of the best D3 schools.”

As a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III school, Franklin cannot give athletic scholarships to its student-athletes. Therefore, Smith’s scholarship to Franklin is based on his academic achievements alone.

“He is carrying a 3.7 GPA playing multiple sports. It can be done,” said Jamie Lowry, SHS athletic director. “We are proud of what you’ve done.”

Four years ago, Smith was a soccer player, a sport he has been playing since he was 3-years-old. He took a chance on football after agreeing to go to a scrimmage his freshman year. From that moment forward, Smith began working with SHS football coach Steve Deaton on developing his kick on the field.

Since then, Smith has attended two invitation-only Big Ten Conference, National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football camps and holds the school field goal record with a 42-yard kick. He has a video of himself kicking a 52-yard field goal at SHS. Along with football, Smith has played soccer, baseball, and basketball during the last four years in high school.

“I never thought I’d play football. You never know where things turn,” Smith said. “Nothing is set in stone. This was a last-minute thing.”

Before choosing Franklin, Smith visited two other colleges, but he felt like Franklin was the best fit for him.

“The head coach sent me a text message asking if I could take a visit,” Smith said. “It was a lot closer to home; the campus wasn’t too big. It was welcoming.”

In college, Smith plans to major in secondary education, concentrating on social studies or Spanish content areas.

Smith will move to Franklin around Aug. 10 to start football camp in the two weeks before classes begin.

Scott 2 is Smith’s path to a brighter future in college.

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